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Discover Bangkok

Do you want to visit impressive attractions? You’re looking for the most famous shopping miles or enchanting boutiques for the perfect shopping trip? Or you’re interested in fascinating buildings of art and culture? We’ve compiled a selection for you.

The Grand Palace

Former royal residence

The Grand Palace was the official residence of the King of Siam in Bangkok from the end of the 18th century until the middle of the 20th century. It’s a gigantic, magnificent building featuring the typical Thai peaked roofs and an endless amount of gold leaf. King Bhumibol may reside in Chitralada Palace nowadays, but that doesn’t dissuade the many visitors from roaming the royal palace every day. The best thing to do is come right at 9 a.m. or late in the afternoon to avoid most of the rush.

Foot massage

Good and reasonably priced

In Bangkok nearly every corner has a business offering relaxing foot massages for about 300 baht per hour to stressed business people and tourists tired of walking. Locals come in shorts and bring a book along; they know a foot massage goes up to the thigh and that, while you can’t sleep during the massage, you can read. Acupressure techniques and powerful strokes are applied until the muscles are soft as jelly and you can hardly stand.

Wat Pho

Must-see

Wat Pho is a holy site in the centre of Bangkok’s old town, south of the Grand Palace. It's a royal Buddhist temple par excellence and «the» tourist attraction. The gigantic reclining Buddha in Wat Pho is a feast for the eyes; the splendid, coloured and golden ornamentation all over it leaves visitors gaping in wonder and awe. And despite the herds of tourists, there is always a tranquil bench nearby where you can sit and admire the full splendour. Note, however, that shirts and long trousers must be worn to enter the temple. Sleeveless shirts and miniskirts should be left at home.

Khao San Road

Backpacker mile

Known from tales and the movie «The Beach», Khao San is Bangkok’s centre for backpackers with low-priced accommodation and any number of bars and internet cafés. The district truly comes alive in late afternoon and the evening, meanwhile spilling over into the outlying lanes. A lot of fun can be had strolling between the mobile kitchens and stands selling faux designer sunglasses to have a Singha beer in one of the bars. From the bottle, of course.

Cooking course

Thai cuisine

Those who would like to try their hand at preparing Thai cuisine can schedule a course at the Mandarin Oriental, the most famous luxury hotel in the city. It has its own cooking school in a nostalgic, colonial outbuilding. Chef Narain specialises in classic Thai cuisine and shows students how to prepare the round Kha-Nom-Krok cakes out of coconut milk, lime juice, flour and steamed rice and how to prepare Pad Thai, surely the best know noodle dish from Thailand.

Wat Bowonniwet Vihara

Royal temple

For those seeking something different to Wat Pho, this Buddhist royal temple is extraordinarily beautiful and not yet overrun by tourists. Visitors can still watch monks at their devotions and admire the lovely wall paintings and doors richly ornamented with marquetry unimpeded. Wat Bowonniwet Vihara, short Wat Bowon, is the centre of Thammayut Nikaya, an order of the Theravada Buddhist monks in Thailand. Its enormous principle Buddha statue was moulded in 1357 in Sukhothai style.

Thai boxing

Pure action

Muay Thai (Thai boxing) is a martial art that combines physical strength with mental force of will and religious belief. Boxing matches can be attended every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. It’s important to get your tickets in advance if you want a seat right at the ring, but there’s nearly always standing room in the back. You’ll still be close enough to the action and it can be fun to stand between betting locals wagging their notes back and forth.

Gaysorn Plaza

Designer fashion

If you’re going to go to a shopping mall, then it should be like this: straightforward, elegant and eclectic. The lower floors feature a veritable who’s who of international fashion and bling — from Prada to Bally. Even more interesting are the upper floors, where you’ll find the Thai designers, such as Tango or Alexander Lamont and Aunam, offering Celadon tableware, lacquerware and golden Buddha figurines.

Almeta

Loveliest silks

This is where the concept of “silk a la carte” was invented. There are more than 1 000 colours in various finishes, from light and shiny to stiff and multilayer silks. Everything is here to have curtains, bedding, coverings and apparel tailor-made as you desire. The shop also offers scarves and dressing gowns, lovely place mats and silk-covered tins. All silk fabrics are handwoven and of the highest quality.

Flower Market (Pak Klong Talad)

Floral splendour

For the best views, come by boat. The stop on Chao Phraya is called Memorial Bridge. After that, simply follow your nose toward the intensive scent of blossoms. Bangkok’s flower market is nearly impossible to beat for its diversity and colourful glory. It offers nearly everything, but the orchids, lotus blossoms and high, white tuberoses available for a few hundred baht are especially beautiful. The market is active around the clock but the atmosphere is especially good at night.

Silom Village

Bargains

This place might seem kitschy with its pseudo-antique Thai architecture, but the shops offer some good merchandise. You mustn't be shy about haggling though, because the price tags, for example for handbags by Sander or Die Tasche, are ridiculously high. J.J. Gift Shop offers beautiful bowls and vases made of mango wood and you can recover from the stress of shopping at the courtyard restaurant in the middle while enjoying a fresh-pressed pineapple juice or a portion of Pad Thai.

World Group Bangkok

Tailor – custom fit

The World Group tailoring atelier has been in business for more than 25 years and serves a large number of regular clientele. They work with both Thai silks and imported goods from Zegna and Loro Piana. Plan on five working days and two fittings for tailored suits. The World Group also makes shirts and women’s dresses and they’ll model the pattern after famous designers if you like.

Jim Thompson House and Museum

Silk pioneer

If you’re interested in the history of the silk pioneer Jim Thompson, you can visit his wonderful, old wood home surrounded by a lush garden directly on the Silk Weaver’s Canal. It also offers a shop with a selection of Jim Thompson products as well as a good restaurant. There’s an entry fee of 100 baht (about CHF 3.20) and the price includes a guided tour.